ACT 7 – 7000RPM 'Angel of the Street'

It was all set for the night; both cars have taken their positions and stood by, waiting for the countdown. Fu Huo sat patiently next to Minako as she continued to rev the engine and focus her eyes forward. Fu had noticed a small touch of Kumiko with her that moment, as Minako wore a rather expensive-looking designer dress, which Fu Huo does not often see her in.

"You look fine tonight," complimented Fu, "I've never seen you wear that before."
"It's the first time I've worn it. It's new, I'm glad you like it," replied Minako gratefully, "But it really took me a long time to be able to save up for this dress,"

"Well, if you take care not to lose a lot in poker like your sister…" suggested Fu.
"What are you talking about?" laughed Minako, "I beat you last time, remember?"

Jeni had took her place in between the two cars, being selected to begin the countdown for the race. Ling Luan expected many different outcomes, yet he was set on what he was doing. I don't really count this as a race. Perhaps I'll let Minako win. I just want to see how she drives…

The commencement of the race quickly took place shortly after and Minako found herself in the lead once again. Fu Huo stood by her the whole way, serving her as a guide while Ling Luan remained behind to apply a bit of pressure.

"You'll become a fierce competitor like me someday," commented Fu Huo, "At the end of this session, I wanna talk to you about something. But for now, let's take on Ling together!"

"Okay, Fu! Thanks a lot… we're actually together in this," relieved Minako.

Fu Huo knew exactly what was going on and it was right according to plan. He could tell that Ling Luan was not at his usual pace. This was convenient for him, as he could focus on teaching Minako a thing or two. Perhaps he could have her replace him one day, since she badly wants to follow him in his steps, Fu Huo thought that one day Minako could take on the Neon Serpent and slay her. However, chances of such an event to take place was less than slim, due to Kumiko's likely retirement.

Fu Huo continued to navigate for Minako through almost every twist and bend like it was the rally championships, yet at the same time, he also assisted her as an instructor attemptin to take her further with her abilities.

"The trick is not always to lure the opponent to the unexpected… but it is to make them expect as much as possible," commented Fu Huo, "When the opponent is checking you out… never show your face,"

Minako nodded, yet she was still rather confused on what Fu was trying to tell her. She began to realize that racing on the mountain pass was not as simple as she thought it was.

"That's good, string him along – that's it," continued Fu Huo, as he directed Minako to be able to dictate Ling's pace rather than vice versa. "Slow down here…"

Minako tried to do exactly what Fu had suggested though she tried not to think too much. Fu was able to set aside his built up resentment and work out a perspective that brings Minako on his side to conquer the streets. It was only a matter of time.

That's weird… I can't catch on to her flow… she's fast on some corners, yet slow on others… it's as if she wants me to keep up…
Ling Luan continued further, as he kept a close distance with the WRX. He felt rather tempted on pushing further. I know this is not really a battle… but what is Fu Huo doing?

"With Fu Huo beside her, Minako should be fine," claimed Raide, "If he applies to her all the things you've taught to him, Master Kumi-chan…"

"Her potence is indeed obvious. But is she ready… is her heart totally ready for something like this?" wondered Kumiko.

It's just like Fukada Kumiko, after all. Always ties in her inner self with the game. She is one with the streets…
Raide eventually realized the fairytale that he just told was nothing like Minako. Though it could either be a lot greater, or less great.

Hokuto and the others admired Kumiko's visions and perspectives on her many different concepts. There was only one individual who never fully accepted them. Ironically, it was the one whom was closest to her.

The two cars had finally reached the bottom of the pass as the Impreza and the Evo parked along the touring area. There was no winner or loser. Ling merely followed Minako along the whole way as planned. Though much to his expectations, there was nothing that he could gather to verify anything on Minako's abilities.

"You're very different from all the others," explained Ling to Minako, "Don't you think so, Fu?"

As much as Fu Huo did not want to admit, he felt he had to speak honestly about his dear friend, "She's much like a Shireishou…"

"Kumiko will want to see this first hand for sure," commented Ling.
"I don't think she's at the level of even riding with Kumi-chan, yet," said Fu, "But you gotta admit, she almost had you,"

"Um… may I speak?" interrupted Minako.
"Yes?"
"It was both Fu Huo and I that performed tonight… I wasn't just me… so please don't give me all the credit…" explained Minako.

Fu Huo crossed his arms and shrugged, "That's quite weird of you," he began, "All I did was state to you the obvious,"

"Believe it or not, Fu, but it really helped me a lot," continued Minako, "Just having you there as a guide made me feel more relaxed. As if I could drive as I please…"

"Haha…" laughed Fu Huo arrogantly; "In this game… we don't have people to comfort us while we drive as we face each and every challenge with our own courage and our own will. I tackle the mountains every time without anyone guiding me. No one to distract me with useless words of comfort to make me feel good."

"How sad…" added Minako, "Perhaps I should sit by you on your next race?"
"Haha… I don't think so," cut off Fu, "It's time to find out how good you really are… how well you can handle yourself without anybody's help. Then we'll know if you're really cut out for this stuff. I won't be having anybody by my side, because my next race… is with you!"

What's this? Ling Luan continued to listen in on their conversation. Fu Huo's gonna race Minako with his new Lancer? What's up?
He noticed Fu Huo fiddle with his keys, as he focused his eyes back onto the mountain – Kumiko was there.
Could it be that Fu Huo wants only him to be in Kumiko's level? He plans to stop Minako dead on her tracks this early?

Fu Huo stepped back into the car along with Minako. He was well determined to stay on top, and at the same time, keep the others down. It was his game and nobody else.

The following week…

Minako had finally agreed to Fu Huo's favour and decided to race at Route D1 yet again. Being it just a night for fun, Minako did not mind as long as it was wit Fu Huo. However, Fu Huo did not see this as just a game. He already had Kumiko in his sights and he did not want Minako any closer to it. He felt that he had to take care of them one by one.

Fu Huo continually contemplated and asked himself about what he was trying to prove. He could not come up with a straight answer, yet deep within him, he felt that he was doing all that he had to do. Taking his Lancer out from the Zui HQ, he knew that even though its immense abilities, the new Evo still had its limits. Fu Huo needed to transcend beyond that limit.

Very few were aware of the battle that was to take place that night, as it seemed more of a personal issue between Minako and Fu Huo. The battle was meaningless to Minako, but to Fu Huo, it meant everything. Ling Luan and the others briefly supervised the event, confirming all sections were clear. There was no longer any time to waste.

"Three…two…one…go!" counted Ling.

Without wasting any time, Minako went on ahead as Fu Huo remained behind and caught her effortlessly. Minako had on some eurobeat music as she began to maneuver her car at a moderate pace to 'Dancin in My Dreams' from Initial D.

Bang-bang-pow!

Fu Huo himself did not have a strategy for the battle. In fact, he did not even bother. He was too consumed of his LanEvo's power. His sharp, aggressive outside-inside movements were nothing short of precise. So early in the duel, Fu Huo wanted to turn up the heat, pushing Minako on. Hurry up.

It did not take long for Minako to eventually reach one hundred percent effort. She did not know all the technicals, so she did not bother with that either. All she knew she cold do was drive – and drive fast. She did not understand all this drifting crap that always came to her.

After the first section, Fu Huo began to realize the big fuss about Minako's potential. That's good. She probably doesn't know it, but she's doing exactly what I taught her. She's trying to make me push harder than she is while she continues to block my way and cruise.

Minako occasionally kept her foot firmly on the throttle as her limbs and eyes moved with less thought and more instinct. This is so fun… It's rare that I get moments like this with Fu Huo… I'm having so much fun tonight…

It was as if Fu Huo could tell what was on Minako's mind, just by changes in her behaviour on the road. It was something that was long acquired by him from his master Kumiko. Though only Fu Huo did it better. Sometimes, you could see a person's real persona through their actions in a game. Minako seems much different when she's like this. It's like… she's livelier. She's almost like she's playing around with the car and its abilities like a child who's just learned to walk…

"Let's try… this!" exclaimed Minako excitedly, as she remembers a bit of the pointers that Fu Huo had told her. Without paying attention to her mirror, she jerked her car excitedly, and into the corner, she pulled the e-brake swiftly and began to slide.

'Over the rainbow we fly
Cause we dream forever
No more tears in your eyes
I want to see you…'

Bang-bang-bang!

Fu Huo kept even closer to the WRX's rear, flinging his Evo diving straight into the same corner and at the same line with such great velocity. Minako almost seemed overwhelmed. Fu knew that she did not see it coming. The Street Angel's gift… meh, there's no room for fairytales in this mountain!

Fu Huo quickly noticed a slight drop in his opponent's speed. Without a second thought, he took his chance.

'Dancin in my dreams… You're my destiny…'

The Evo swiftly took to the outside and maintained grip all the way just before passing the corner's apex. Almost provokingly, Fu tail-whipped his vehicle outward and aggressively met with the MINEs Impreza just briefly before slowly passing it by through the corner's exit.

'…Inside my heart no more lonely nights… Dancin' in my dreams… share your wish with me….'

The sudden attack took Minako by surprise yet again. At that moment, she began to realize how good her opponent was and how naïve she is in the entire realm of motorsport. Yet this did nothing but boost her excitement and ethusiasm even more. If he can do it… There's no reason I can't…

B-bang-bang!

Minako knew that Fu Huo totally owns her in his battle. But that was no reason for her to stop. Even as frequently lost sight of Fu Huo's Lancer through each curve, Minako did not let down for a second.

Fu Huo continued on, already smelling victory at his fingertips, he evalutated the battle's result before it even finished. Minako…there is no doubt that you will eventually be extremely fast, no argument there. Whether in the previous time, today or the next, you have got it within you. Like Kumiko says, if it's really within your heart, then there's no limit to how high you can fly. You can make me proud just as I did her…

It was apparent that Fu Huo was still too much for the young but growing style of Minako, yet unable to act any further, Fu Huo knew that this was not the end of Minako, but she was still merely in her debut to the streets and there was nothing he could do to stop it.